LETTER XX.

June 5.

WISH that instead of writing to you once in two months, I could do you some service as often; for I am arrived to an age when I am as fparing of words as most old men are of money, though I daily find lefs occafion for any. But I live in a time when benefits are not in the power of an honest man to beftow; nor indeed of an honest man to receive, confidering on what terms they are generally to be had. It is certain you have a full right to any I could do you, who not only monthly, but weekly of late, have loaded me with favours of that kind, which are most acceptable to veteran Authors; those garlands which a Commentator weaves to hang about his Poet, and which are flowers both of his own gathering and painting too; not bloffoms fpringing from the dry Author.

It is very unreasonable after this, to give you a second trouble in revifing the Essay on Homer. But I look upon you as one fworn to fuffer no errors in me: and though the common way with a Commentator be to erect them into beauties, the best office of a Critic is to correct and amend them. There being a

new

a The Editor did revife and correct it as it now ftands in the last edition. W.

new edition coming out of Homer, I would willingly render it a little lefs defective, and the bookfeller will not allow me time to do so myself.

Lord B. returns to France very speedily, and it is poffible I may go for three weeks or a month to Mr. Allen's in the fummer; of which I will not fail to advertise you, if it fuits your conveniency to be there and drink the waters more beneficially.

Forgive my scribbling so hastily and fo ill. My eyes are at least as bad as my head, and it is with my heart only that I can pretend to be, to any real purpose,

Your, etc.

LETTER XXI.

July 18.

OU

You may well expect letters from me of thanks: but the kind attention you fhew to every thing that concerns me is fo manifeft, and fo repeated, that you cannot but tell yourself how neceffarily I must pay them in my heart, which makes it almost impertinent to fay fo. Your alterations to the Preface and Effay are just; and none more obliging to me than where you prove your concern, that my notions in

Prefixed to his Homer's Iliad.

my

W.

my first writings should not be repugnant to those in my last. And you will have the charity to think, when I was then in an error, it was not so much that I thought wrong or perversely, as that I had not thought fufficiently. What I could correct in the diffipated life I am forced to lead here, I have: and fome there are which still want your help to be made as they fhould be.-Mr. Allen depends on you at the end of the next month, or in September, and I will join him as soon as I can return from the other party; I believe not till September at fooneft.-You will pardon me (dear Sir) for writing to you but just like an attorney or agent. I am more concerned for your Finances than your Fame; because the first, I fear, you will never be concerned about yourself; the fecond is fecure to you already, and (whether you will or not) will follow you.

I have never faid one word to you of the public. I have known the greater world too long to be very fanguine. But accidents and occafions may do what Virtue would not; and God fend they may! Adieu. Whatever becomes of public Virtue, let us preferve our own poor share of the private. Be affured, If I have any, I am with a true fenfe of your merit and friendship, etc.

• His debt from the Executor of Mr. Gyles.

W.

LETTER XXII.

I

October 7.

HEARTILY thank you for yours, from which I learned your fafe arrival. And that you found all yours in health, was a kind addition to the account; as I truly am interested in whatever is, and deferves to be dear to you, and to make a part of your happiness. I have many reasons and experiences to convince me, how much you wish health to me, as well as long life to my writings. Could you make as much a better man of me as you can make a better author, I were fecure of Immortality both here and hereafter by your means. The Dunciad I have ordered to be advertised in quarto. Pray order as many of them as you will; and know that whatever is mine is yours.

LETTER XXIII,

January 12, 1743

A

N unwillingness to write nothing to you, whom I refpect; and worse than nothing (which would afflict you) to one who wishes me fo well, has hitherto kept me filent. Of the Public I can tell you nothing worthy the reflection of a reasonable man; and of

myself

myself only an account that would give you pain; for my asthma has increased every week fince you last heard from me, to the degree of confining me totally to the fire-fide; fo that I have hardly feen any of my friends but two, who happen to be divided from the world as much as myself, and are constantly retired at Battersea. There I have past most of my time, and often wished you of the company, as the best I know to make me not regret the lofs of all others, and to prepare me for a nobler fcene than any mortal greatnefs can open to us. I fear by the account you gave me of the time you defign to come this way, one of them (whom I much wish you had a glimpse of) will be gone again, unless you pass some weeks in London before Mr. Allen arrives there in March. My present indifpofition takes up almost all my hours, to render a very few of them fupportable: yet I go on foftly to prepare the great edition of my Things with your Notes, and as faft I receive any from you, I add others in order.

I am told the Laureat is going to publish a very abusive pamphlet. That is all I can defire; it is enough, if it be abusive and if it be his. He threatens you; but, I think, you will not fear or love him fo much as to answer him, though you have answered one or two as dull. He will be more to me than a dofe of hartfhorn: and as a stink revives one who has been oppreffed with perfumes, his railing will cure me of a course of flatteries.